Hearing God's Voice!

Hearing God's Voice - Are You Ready to Listen?

Hearing God's voice is something we all long for-but did you know that it's not hard to do? In fact, God wants you to hear His voice! He doesn't speak to us through a quiver in our liver or through vibes or mediums. Hearing the voice of God is as natural as hearing your best friend talk to you. What's more, we can hear Him everyday and not just on special occasions or by chanting special incantations. He speaks to us in the natural moments of life. Do you want to hear God's voice? Then you must be ready to listen.

Hearing God's Voice - Why Do You Want to Hear Him?

Why do you want to hear God's voice? That may sound like a silly question, but motives are important in anything we do. The Bible says this about God's Word: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Do you want to hear God's voice? If you do, it's possible you're hearing Him already, for He may be the one giving you the longing to hear Him.

Hearing God's Voice in the Bible

God has spoken to man, and the Bible is His Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation.

The Bible itself declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). In another place, we read: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16).

You may hear people say that the Bible is just a book written by men, but the Bible itself claims to be God's Word! Can we rely on it? The evidence of history, archaeology, fulfilled prophecy and personal testimony over thousands of years is overwhelming that the Bible is, indeed, God's Word. Do you want to hear God's voice? Then read the Bible. Find a good daily reading plan, and stick to it.

Hearing God's Voice through Prayer

When you want to have a conversation with someone, how do you begin? Do you stand in front of the person and hope they will talk to you? That might work, if the other person is outgoing enough, but usually we begin a conversation by opening our own mouths and talking, engaging the other person's attention. It's the same with God! He loves to hear us talk to Him, and it's in those moments that we prepare ourselves to hear the voice of God. Prayer is like saying, "Hello, God, it's me. I believe You created me and that You know way more about how I should live my life than I do. I'd like to get to know You better. Here's what's going on in my life, and I'd sure like Your thoughts on how to handle it. Would You please speak to me about this today?"

In an ordinary conversation, we speak, then listen for the response of the other person. It's the same with God! Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, we're more likely to hear the voice of God. Does He speak to us through an audible voice? Some claim He does, but usually that's not the case. We may not actually "hear" the voice of God, but He speaks to us in many ways. Here are some of them:

• God speaks through His Word
• God speaks through our thoughts
• God speaks through conversations with others
• God speaks through circumstances

Hearing God's Voice through Jesus

The Bible also tells us that Jesus is God in the flesh. Therefore, if you want to hear the voice of God, you must study and know the teachings of Jesus. Here's how John describes Him: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." (1 John 1:1). You must also have a personal relationship with Jesus. Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation of any depth with a person you did not know? It doesn't usually go very far.

Shortly before He was crucified, Jesus met with His disciples to reassure them of what would happen after He was gone. He promised them a helper: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit, then, is the fulfillment of the way we hear God's voice!

Hearing God's Voice with the Help of the Holy Spirit

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26). The second chapter of Acts describes the events that occurred on the day of Pentecost, after Jesus ascended into Heaven. Verse 3 says they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, the Counselor promised by Jesus. This unique aspect of God's personality did not come to them as someone they could see and touch, but rather He came to live inside them. That same Spirit is available to you and me today. Are you a Christian? If so, you already have the Holy Spirit available to you. Ask God for a fresh filling everyday, and He will prepare your heart to hear God's voice. His Spirit, that still, small voice inside you, is the One who will remind you of what God said, and help you recognize God's opportunities in your life.

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Committed Christians - Certainty Of Purpose!

What was the certainty of purpose that propelled the early Church into action?

Let's look back for a moment -

The Crucifiction

.....To the disciples it seemed as if everything was over. They felt helpless as they stood off at a distance and watched Jesus, the light of their world, fading before their eyes. As He was being nailed to the Cross, all of their hopes and dreams were being nailed to it also. Their reason for living hung before them bleeding and dying. Looking at the blood-stained body of Jesus, the disciples shook their heads in dismay. This was the man that they had seen give sight to the blind, open deaf ears, cast away demons, and feed thousands with a few loaves of bread, and fish. This was the man who spoke into the darkness of a tomb and called a dead man back to life. This man who was now on a Cross, laboring to breathe.

Can you picture the despair that was on the faces of all the disciples, not to mention in their minds, envisioning danger, capture, and the end of a dream?

In those dark hours, they forgot the promise of Jesus.
The promise to rise again on the third day.

.....Their moment of darkness could have been an occasion for expectancy. Had they focused on the promise instead of the problem, they would have known much sooner that it was not the end, but the beginning.

.....In John 20: 1-8, the Gospel proclaims, "Jesus was resurrected. The tomb was empty. Tribulation was turned into triumph. Jesus was alive." A new beginning had dawned out of the darkness. God's grace shined for all of mankind. He showed us that even when things looked dark, and it seems nothing can be done, that is when your faith should be strongest. To God, your dark tomb of tribulation is just the fertile ground from which He will resurrect your deliverance. The instant you exercise your faith in His Divine Power, your tribulations turn into triumphs. In our hour of despair and darkness, we are to take our eyes off our problems, and turn them toward Jesus, the Light of the World.

.....Christ's resurrection provided His shaken disciples with a solid foundation of hope. His empty tomb gave new life and meaning to the disciples. It strengthened their shaky structure of faith, and gave them all something to live for, and die for. They were no longer afraid. The resurrection of their master turned their certain break-up into a breakthrough of certainty. Each one of them became a man of great faith and action.

....Then on the day of Pentecost, these men and 108 others, emerged from the upper room, and possessed a certainty of purpose. No longer did these disciples cower behind locked doors and deny involvement in the cause. They had a sure foundation of faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit as their guide and comforter. These 12 men allowed no hardship, no tribulation, no threat of death, to hinder them from proclaiming "Truth," Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and coming King. Despite every test, and torture, these men remained constant in their resolve. They kept their feet firmly planted in the Word, and their eyes fixed on the prize. From that point in their lives, they preached the Gospel with boldness, having the authority given to them by God through the revelation of what truly happened and what they witnessed, even unto death.

James, the brother of John, "The Revelator," was so adamant of his faith in Christ he was beheaded.

Thomas, the one who believed only after seeing the nail scares of Jesus with his own eyes, proclaimed the Gospel throughout Persia, and took the message of Christ eastward to India. There he declared his faith openly, up until the very day he was slain with a short spear.

Simon, The brother of Jude and James, was a dynamic witness for the Son of God, and was crucified in Egypt.

Simon, called Zelotes, preached throughout Africa, and also was crucified.

Mark, taught about Jesus throughout Egypt, and during the terrible reign of Trajan the Emperor, the evangelist was dragged by ropes into a fire, and left there to burn.

Bartholomew, missionary to India, later went to Armenia and withstood numerous persecutions. He was finally beaten mercilessly with sticks, then crucified. And afterward, beheaded.

Andrew, the brother of Peter, proclaimed the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for about 50 years. He brought many to the understanding of salvation. He confronted the Governor of a large territory in what is now known as Ethiopia for worshiping idols, boldly declaring the Son of God. The Governor became afraid of Andrew's growing influence and ordered the disciple to be, "fastened to the cross with all speed."

Mathew, wrote a New Testament Book and taught against pagan practices in Ethiopia, and Egypt, leading many to salvation, when King Hircanus, the ruler of the area, sent a servant to him and ran him through with a spear.

Phillip, fearlessly declared the teachings of Jesus throughout the nations of the Middle East. And after persevering through many trials, he was crucified and stoned until dead.

James, Governor of the early Church, he persuaded both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the promise Messiah. He was killed by the Scribes, and Pharisees, and buried where he fell.

Peter, traveled the World testifying of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Facing a multitude of adversity, including scourging, imprisonment, and trials before Kings. Peter suffered the agonizing torment of death on an upside down cross.

John, Author of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," live to be 100. Dedicated his entire life to Christ and the administering of His Church. Was banished to a life in prison by the Emperor Domitian on the Island of "Patmos," which means My Killing.

.....All of these brave, and dedicated men of God were committed, excited, and sure of their faith. And that is why miracles followed them. They built up the Church of Jesus Christ, and courageously looked death in the face, proclaiming the Gospel with a certainty of purpose. These first Christians were committed to seeing lives transformed by the power of God, despite the personal dangers.

.....God is looking for committed Christians today who are certain of their convictions, and willing, without hesitation, to stand up for their beliefs. He is looking for those that have the tenacity to stand their ground, no matter whose toes they have to step on. The example committed Christians set during adversity today will drive men to either get right with God, or get left behind. The Word is our responsibility. Our response to God's Ability. Tribulation helps us to learn not only of God, and from God, but also enables us to teach others about God, so that many will be drawn to God. Adversity makes the strong stronger, and the weak weaker. Are you ready? Are you committed to Christ? Are you ready and willing to go out into the World and rescue the hurting, the dying, the lost? Let us take our cue from the 12 disciples. If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Like those who have gone before us, if we are to survive the heat, we must be prepared to walk through the fire, for Christ, and acquire God's special mark of "Certainty."

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The Divinity Of Jesus!

.....Today we will discuss the passage of scripture from John 5: 16-47, concerning the Divinity of Jesus, especially in the statement Jesus made in John 5: 17, where He stated, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working."

.....According to the Jewish wisdom of Jesus' day, although God's work of creating ceased on the 7th day, (Genesis 2: 2-3), His providential, care taking work did not. The Rabbis taught that two ongoing works of God were giving life and judging, and He performed these duties even on the Sabbath day. Because there was only one true God, (Exodus 15:11), the work of life-giving and judgment were prerogatives belonging to God alone.

Let's look at the Jewish reaction back then, which was from the words that Jesus spoke from the passage of scripture above.

.....When Jewish leaders accused Jesus of healing, and therefore, working on the Sabbath, (verse 16), Jesus responded that like God who works on the Sabbath, He works too, (verse 17). Jesus asserted His right to perform a divine activity, establishing an identity between Himself, and the Father. The Jewish leaders understood the implicit claim, charging Him with blasphemy, and then tried to kill Him, (verse 18).

.....Jesus' response was significant. He did not correct the accidental misunderstanding, or back away from His profound claims, but emphatically reasserted the point. In this passage, Jesus claimed an equality with the Father in activity, (verses 17-19), in honor, (verses 22-23), in authority, (verses 22, 27, 30), and in perspective, (verses 36-37). Most important, was the two main assertions Jesus made about Himself to grant life to the dead, (verses 21, 25-26, 28), and His right to judgment, (verses 22, 27, 30). - The very two works listed in the Old Testament that were attributed to God alone, (2 Kings 5:7, Ezekiel 37:13, Deuteronomy 1:17, 32:36).

.....The key here in the passage of scripture provides us with one of the most exalted statements of Jesus and His RELATIONSHIP with Father. All that belongs to God from the Old Testament, - Sabbath work, honor, power to give life, and authority to judge, - belong equally to Jesus, and us who are in Him today. His claims are unlike any other, for they are nothing less than claims of Deity shared with the Father. Without this important understanding, says Jesus, even the most diligent study of scripture will produce only lifeless results, (verses 39-40).

.....I would only hope that today's study would help to elevate you to contemplate the full Divinity of Jesus, the Son of God, and our identity, to us who are in Him. Your understanding of this can make all the difference in the world today. For those who understand and believe in the equality of the Father and the Son, have Eternal Life, and the love of God dwells in their hearts, (verses 24, 39-44). This is the power, from His Deity, confirmed through the Death, Burial, and Resurrection, that He brings to us for consideration, our identity through the resurrection life, which is to be celebrated on this upcoming Easter Sunday. May God Richly Bless You, through the Revelation of this.
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Why Should We Study The Bible?

.....Why should we study the bible? The simple answer is because God in His word tells us to. (2Timothy 2:15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We are exhorted to preach the word and to be able to defend it. (2Timothy 4:2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. Scripture is the tool God has given us and it is our duty to study it, know it, and apply it. (2Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I have listed some of the benefits to studying God’s word:

.....Studying the bible develops an appetite for God’s word and allows for spiritual growth:

.....(Matthew 4:4) But He answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." We must nourish our physical body with food. Without food our body begins to grow weak and can not function to its fullest potential. In this condition we can not properly perform our duties at home or the work place. We become ineffective and worthless. As our physical body needs nourishment, so does our spiritual part. If we do not take in a regular intake of bible doctrine, we become worthless as servants to God. To be strong spiritually and be good stewards we need a steady diet of His word. (1Peter 2:2) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, By feeding on God’s word we will become mature Christians. As believers we have a hunger that can only be satisfied by God’s word, anything else will leave us feeling hungry. (Job 23:12) I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

.....Studying the bible gives us the opportunity to know God and to reveal His character:

.....God is not an inanimate object but a living God. As believers we should know God on a much more personal level then the world. We learn through His word that He is a loving God offering comfort, peace, and mercy. He is our hope and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is our savior. The attributes of God and His love is probably a endless list but by studying His word we will develop a greater appreciation and a thankful attitude toward God as we see Him unfold in the scriptures. If we do not know God, how can we love and appreciate what he has done for us? (Ephesians 3:19) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

.....Studying the bible helps us know the truth:

.....As students of the bible, we must not trust the authority of man, but search the scriptures to see what God says. We must study the bible with diligence and prayer. (Acts 17:11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

.....It is important to have prayer and communication with God so that the Holy Spirit can teach us. (1Corinthians 2:13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Truth is important, especially when it is God’s truth. If we study God’s word, we will know His truth and we will be able to recognize a lie when we hear one. (1John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Discover the truth and do not be carried down the path of deception. (2Peter 2:1) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Studying God’s word protects us from traveling down this road.

.....In summary studying the bible allows us to be better workman for God. It equips us with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we can quench the fiery darts of the devil and be more than conquers in Christ. (Romans 8:37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

.....Remember our citizenship is not on earth but in heaven and while on earth we are to represent Christ in everything we do. That is our job to represent Christ to the world and to preach His saving message. By studying His word we will be able to give reasons and to prove by the Word to the lost why Christ is our hope. The word of God will set you free, so discover His truth in the word and enjoy the freedom and peace it brings. (John 8:32) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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The Temptations Of Christ!

.....Mathew 4: 1-11 says, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward hungry. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil took Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.

.....Today I would like to take a look at the temptations of Christ, and share some things concerning this. But before we do, let us take a look at the real meaning of the word tempt. In English, the word tempt has a uniformly and consistently bad meaning. It always means to entice a man to do wrong, to seek or seduce him into sin, and try to persuade him to take the wrong way. But the Greek word for tempt, "Peirazein," has a quite different element in its meaning. It means to test.

.....An Old Testament example of this would be the story of how narrowly Abraham escaped sacrificing his only son Isaac. Genesis 22: 1 says, " And it came to pass after these things that God did tempt Abraham. Now clearly, the word tempt here did not mean to seek or seduce into evil. We all know that it is quite unthinkable that God would try to make any man sin or do wrong. What is quite clear here is the true meaning, "After these things God tested Abraham." A supreme test of loyalty. Just as metal has to be refined and tested far beyond any stress and strain that it will ever be called upon to bear before it can be put to any useful purpose, so a man has to be tested before God can use him for His purposes. What we call temptation is not meant to make us sin; it is meant to enable us to conquer sin.It is not meant to make us bad; it is meant to make us good. It is not meant to weaken us; it is meant to make us emerge stronger, and finer, and purer from the ordeal. Temptation is not the penalty of being a man, temptation is the glory of being a man. It is the test which comes to a man whom God wishes to use. So then, we must think of this whole incident concerning Jesus, not so much as a tempting, but a testing.

.....So why did the test that Jesus had to endure have to take place in the wilderness? Because Jesus had to be alone. His task had to come to Him, and God had spoken to Him. He had to think and ponder as to how He was to attempt the task which God had given Him to do. He had to get things straight in His mind before He started out on His mission, and He had to be alone to do this.

.....How many times do we often go wrong simply because we first never try to be alone with God, and to receive the instructions for what He has called us to do. There are certain things today which every man has to work out alone, with God. And, there are times when no one else's advice is any good to him. Such times is when a man has to stop acting, and start thinking. We all would and could make less mistakes in life today if we would just set aside the time, as Jesus did, to be alone with God. So please, take some time out of your day today, to be alone with Him.
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The World's Struggle Concerning One God!

.....Great opposition has always existed among the major faiths of Islam, Judaism and traditional Christianity. Oddly enough, all of them sprang from the same roots.

.....Today, as in times past, great conflict exists between Judaism and Islam even though both claim to worship the God of Abraham. Most of these people also claim Abraham as their forefather. Much conflict exists between Judaism and traditional Christianity, yet both claim to worship the same God.

.....Why such confusion? If there is one God, then all of them cannot be right. Who is right? As we go along, you will begin to see why there has been so much religious confusion and disagreement.

.....Much of the Islamic world is looking for a leader to come and deliver them from the oppression of the outside world, especially the United States and her allies—Israel in particular.

.....A prophesied “Mahdi” is to return to restore justice to the world. This leader is to carry the name of Muhammad as part of his own, but he will not be as great as Muhammad. This Mahdi is to appear at a time of severe oppression, unite the Muslims, and bring peace and justice to the world. Some Muslims believe this Mahdi, along with the Prophet Jesus, who is also to appear at the end of time, will lead believers to victory over the infidels.

.....Another irony, of far greater significance and interest, is one that also sheds light on this end-time. It comes from the conflicting teaching of the Jewish faith with that of traditional Christianity concerning the Biblical teaching of a Messiah.

.....The Jewish people have long believed that a Messiah would come to deliver their people and establish a new kingdom that will reign on this earth. Although this belief has varied through time, it has basically remained the same. Some of this will be addressed more fully as we continue.

.....Today, there are some differences among Jewish teachings concerning this subject.

.....The Reformed Jewish teaching believes in a Utopian Age, sometimes called the “Messianic Age,” instead of an actual Messiah.

.....Jewish belief is very similar to that of the Orthodox in that the Messiah is believed to be a human being, but not divine. They believe he will restore the Jewish kingdom and extend his righteous rule over all the earth, executing judgment and
righting all wrongs.

.....Through time, the Jewish people have longed for this prophesied Messiah to come. Today, many still look for his coming. Judaism does not accept that the Jesus of the New Testament is that Messiah, as those in traditional Christianity profess.

.....Traditional Christianity believes that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament but His purpose is different than that spoken of in the Old Testament concerning establishing a kingdom. Judaism and traditional Christianity believe part of the Bible story, but they can’t reconcile their differences. Is there an answer?

.....Yes! It is quite ironic that these faiths can’t put it together, for in doing so, they would learn from each other. Rather than rely on what has been handed down as a matter of traditional belief among each group from generation to generation, it is wise to focus on what the Bible has to say on the subject. The Bible tells a story that is plain and straightforward, but religious paradigms have imprisoned people in traditional teachings. As a result, their minds are closed; they are blind to the plain truth as it is written. By looking at two prophecies in the Old Testament, regarding a Messiah, it will become clear why Jews and Christians interpret these verses differently. Both groups are in error, albeit each group has part of the story. Each group holds a vital key that the other needs.

.....Only when these two groups are able to acknowledge their misinterpretation will they be able to reconcile their differences. Prophecies say they will reconcile. These same prophecies also tell when they will do it.
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Our Position In Christ

The Book of Ephesians speaks of three topics:

Our position in Christ ( Ephesians 1:1 - 3:21) - Sit

Our life in the world ( Ephesians 4:1 - 6:9) - Walk

Our attitude to the enemy ( Ephesians 6:10 - 24) - Stand

.....In our position in Christ, we note the word "Sit", which is the key and secret of the beginning of our spiritual life. The second part of Ephesians speaks of our "Walk", and the third section speaks of us "Standing". To be a useful instrument in God's Hand, a man must be balanced in his Position, his Life, and his Warfare.

.....Christianity does not begin with walking, it begins with sitting. Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is the opposite of the true order God designed for us. In our own intellect, we reason that if we do not walk this out first, how will we ever reach our goal? Or, what can we attain without effort? But again, God's ways are always opposite man's ways. If we try to do anything in our own strength and thinking, we get nothing. If we seek to attain something, we will miss everything. Christianity does not start with the word "Do", it starts with the word "Done". That is why it is called a Finished Work. To "Walk" implies effort, where as God says in Ephesians 2: 8-9, that we are saved, not by works, but by grace through faith. So we need to really see that we began our Christian life by depending not upon our own doing, but on what He, Christ, has done. Ephesians 2: 5-6 says, "We were made alive, raised with, and seated with Christ together in the heavens." We must "Rest" in the Finished Work of the Cross.

.....Sitting is an attitude of "Rest", and we can only advance in our Christian Life as we learn first of all, to "Sit" down. So what does it mean to "Sit" down? When we walk or stand, we bear on our legs all the weight of our own body, but when we sit down, our entire weight rests upon what we are sitting on. Walking and standing use and require a lot more energy, but when we are seated, we can relax, because there is no longer a strain on us. So in a spiritual realm, to "Sit" down is to simply "Rest", ourselves, our future, our everything upon the Lord. We are to let Him bear the responsibility and cease to carry it ourselves. God shows this over and over again throughout Scripture.

Example 1. In creation, God worked six days and then He rested. On the seventh day, after He completed His work, and the task was over, He ceased to work. The seventh day became the Sabbath of God. But what of Adam? Where did he stand in relation to the "Rest" of God? He was created on the sixth day, and had no part in those first six days of work. God's seventh day was in fact Adam's first. Adam began his life with the Sabbath, from the position of "Rest". You see, God works before He rests, while man must enter into God's "Rest" before he can work or do the Will of God.

Example 2. In Mark 6: 30-44, Jesus feeding the 5ooo. (Verse 39) - Jesus commanded the Disciples to get in groups of proper order and "Sit" down before they could receive what He had for them to feed on.

Example 3. In Exodus, before they left Egypt, they had to "Sit" and partake of the lamb which was going to enable them to "Walk" out and sustain them through the wilderness, to finally "Stand" in their inheritance or victory that God had for them, which was the Promise Land.

Example 4. In Luke 10: 38-42, The story of Martha and Mary. Martha was distracted with much serving, while Mary "Sat" at Jesus' feet. All of Martha's "Walking" without first "Sitting" left her worried and troubled, while Mary made the right decision, which could not be taken away from her, to receive the Word of Jesus.

.....The bottom line of all this is that if we spend time "Seated" with Him, we will see our true position in Him. How long do we have to "Sit" there? As long as it takes.

.....God has done everything in Christ, and we need to see ourselves "Seated" in Christ. In Luke 14: 17, there is an invitation to the Great Banquet, "Come, for all things are now ready." Our life begins with the discovery of what God has provided. Every spiritual experience begins with an acceptance by faith, of what God has done. His experience has now become my spiritual history. God can speak of you and me as already having everything "With Him". All we now have, we have in Christ.
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COVENANTS

.....Psalms 25: 14 says, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant."


.....My goal today is to give you a little bit of background about covenants, and show you in the Bible, three different styles of covenant that God developed.


.....Covenant in Genesis 17: 7 -- in Hebrew, the root word is Berit (Beh-reet), which was a pledge, treaty, or agreement made between two. The foundation of any relationship on which all promises are and should be based upon. Note that curses always came upon those that broke covenants, Jeremiah 11. In the Old Testament, God initiated the whole action, set the conditions, and defined the parameters, for the establishment of a covenant. Examples of some of the covenants made in the Old Testament were with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israel, and the Levites

Noah - Genesis 6: 18, God's protection from flood and disaster.

Abraham - Genesis 15: 18, First blood covenant, based on a sacrifice, with the promise of prosperity.
..................- Genesis 17: 4, Promise to be the father of many nations. An oath confirmed also to Isaac, and Jacob

Moses - Deuteronomy 10, The Ten Commandments

Isreal - Exodus 31: 16, Perpetual covenant, keeping of the Sabbath

Levites - Numbers 18:19, Covenant of salt, heave offerings, tithe offerings for the priests

.....Covenant in Mark 14: 24 -- in Greek, the root word is Diatheke (Dee-ath-ay-kay), which is a will, a testament, a pact, a contract, or an agreed-upon plan to which both parties subscribe. In the New Testament, Jesus ratified a new covenant by His death on the Cross, because no man could keep from breaking the Ten Commandments, explained in Hebrews 7: 22. In Luke 22: 20, Jesus shed His blood for us, giving us a better covenant, with better promises, Hebrews 8: 6. This was prophetically spoken by Jeremiah 31: 31- 40. Also, the Law cannot annul the covenant confirmed before God, in Christ, (Gal. 3:17). That is why the 1st covenant (The Law) is obsolete, growing old, ready to vanish away, (Heb. 8: 13).

.....The three styles, types, or levels of covenant today are the Shoulder to Shoulder or Side-by-Side, the Face-to-Face, and the Back-to-Back.


.....In the Shoulder to Shoulder covenant, (shallow), God established this in Genesis when He created Eve to be Adam's helpmate. Today, it is seen in dating, and common cause situations, such as community revivals, benefit drives for the needy, crusade marches, and political events. A laying down of personal agendas for a greater good.


.....In the Face-to-Face covenant, (a little deeper), referred to Genesis 32, where Jacob had to see himself and admit he was a deceiver. Then and only then God could and would deal with his heart. This level requires total honesty, with ourselves first, then with God, and then with others. We try to get a blessing without dealing with the issues that are hindering us. Until we do, we can develop no honest, healthy relationships with others and God. We just keep ending up wearing those religious masks. Marriage would be seen as a Face-to-Face covenant today.

.....In a Back-to-Back covenant, (a blessed level of relationship), we come to the understanding that this is the least complicated and yet most powerful. (1 Chronicles 11: 13 - 14, David and Eleazar) A covenant of total trust and reliance upon each other.


.....Let me put this all in the proper perspective, I want to take you back to the crucifixion of Christ. When Christ was on the Cross, the Bible says that, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we may be made the righteousness of God in Christ". We also know from the Word of God, that He could not look upon sin, and that, "The punishment for sin was death". So here's God at the crucifixion, looking at His Son, Jesus, who then becomes sin for you and me, (the sin of the world). At that point, the sin, being placed on Jesus, for us and as us, separated Him from His Father. God had to then turn away from Him. Jesus is completely alone at that moment. We know that because He cried out, " Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?" God had turned away from His Son, (Back-to Back), and was then able to turn to us, (Face-to-Face). God had total trust in this covenant He was establishing when He heard His Son say, "It Is Finished!" Isn't that Powerful? Here is the least complicated part. For us to enter into this covenant today, all we have to do is believe in our hearts, and confess with our mouth, the Finished Work of the Cross and Christ! (Romans 10:9-10). That is it, because God has reconciled the world to Himself through His Son. For us to enter into that new covenant, all we have to do is believe and receive!
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Water Turned To Wine

.....I would like to reveal some spiritual truths from this physical picture that is represented in this passage of scripture in John 2: 1 - 11. On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing 20 or 30 gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, "Fill the water-pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

.....All throughout scripture, Christ is either concealed or revealed in pictures, shadows, or types. Let's first note that Jesus was at a wedding. A celebration of a covenant ceremony being established between a bride and a groom. The two becoming one before God, an example of man's soul in union with man's spirit. It was not His wedding, for He says, "My time has not yet come."

.....Jesus spoke to His mother as a woman and referring in type to the soul -- mind, will, and emotions. When the soul decides to accept whatever Jesus (the Truth) has to say and do in faith and obedience, to the Word of God, (which is the water), the miracle then takes place. This is represented by the water being poured into the 6 stone vessels, ( 6 being the number of man, stone represents man under the Law, and the vessels which represents the place of which the treasure is to be stored). The miracle is the wine, (which is the joy), that is produced from the revelation of what is true of it.

.....Jesus could have supplied more wine in any number of ways, but it was done this way for the spiritual lessons to be drawn out of this passage of scriptures. He also could just as easily filled the pots Himself, yet He chose servants to share in the work and also share in the blessing of this miracle. The same way He used to disciples back then, and the same way He uses us today. What a great God we serve! The servants, those that were under the direction and submission of Jesus, were in a unique place of blessing for this miracle. Jesus is always looking for the cooperation of men to work His miracles through.

.....The miracle came about because of the servant's obedience to Jesus, obeying the Word without question or dought. They filled the pots to the brim, and by doing so the miracle was fullfilled in the greatest measure possible. The servants then placed their faith in Jesus by drawing some of the contents out of the pots and presenting it to the master of the feast, who would represent God for us today.

.....This passage is actually a spiritual lesson revealing the miracle of conversion, from the old ways under the of Law, ceremony, and purification to a new life with Jesus. We can draw 3 spiritual truths from this passage...

Wine came after the water, just as the new covenant came after the old covenant.

Wine was from water, just as the new covenant is from the old covenant.

The wine was better than the previous wine, just as the new covenant is better than the old covenant.

.....In closing, we were given a hint from John that Jesus' glory would show forth on the third day, (the Resurrection of Christ). And His disciples would believe in Him when they had seen His glory. The disciples of course believed before, but after the Resurrection, their belief would be deepened. This is also true in our own lives, every time God does something great in our lives, we believe in Him all over again and our relationship and beliefs are deepened through the Revelation, Wisdom, and Knowledge of Christ.

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WHY DID JESUS WEEP?

.....The passage of scripture in John 11: 1-44, is the story about Lazarus being raised from the dead. It also contains the shortest verse in the whole Bible, John 11: 35, "Jesus wept." May I share with you today a little bit of Revelation received from God through my personal studies about why Jesus wept.

.....One of Jesus' best friends, Lazarus, was sick. Mary and Martha sent someone to go and find Jesus. Yet when Jesus heard the news, He remained where he was for two extra days before coming. He told his disciples, (John 11: 4) "This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God, that the Son of God maybe Glorified through it." The story was an example of God's Divine Sovereignty in the midst of human suffering demonstrating His Purpose and Grace through His Son Jesus. Jesus explained in John 11: 9 - 10 that His orders came from His Father and His relationship with His Father determined His actions. He went on to explain to the disciples in John 11: 11, that Lazarus, His friend, was only asleep and He would go and wake him. Lazarus represents the Church today, not dead but asleep, needing a Revelation of Jesus to awaken them today. Jesus finally arrived in Bethany and Lazarus had now been inthe tomb for 4 days. At this point, Martha and Mary both confronted Him when He showed up and each said, "Lord, if You had only been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus told them that their brother would rise again, but they did not understand what He meant by this. So He tried to explain to them further in John 11: 25 - 26, saying, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die." Then He asked Martha if she believed this, and she said in John 11: 27, "Yes, Lord, I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. Jesus then groaned in the Spirit and was troubled when He saw Mary and the Jews that were with her crying. He asked them where they had laid him. And then He wept.

.....My question today is why did Jesus weep and who did He weep for?

.....He could not have been weeping for Lazarus, for three reasons:

.....1. Lazarus was asleep.

.....2. This sickness was not unto death, but for the Glory of God, so that the Son of God maybe Glorified through it.

.....3. Whoever believes in Me shall never die, he shall live.

.....You see at this point it struck me why He wept, and who He wept for. Jesus was weeping for Mary, Martha, and all the Jews (the people), not for Lazarus. Follow me back in time for moment.

.....In 2 Peter 3: 8 its says, "One day with the Lord is as 1000 years, and 1000 years is as one day." From the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden and their fall, to the fulfillment of all the Prophecies of the Messiah coming was 4000 years. Hence, the reason Jesus waited 4 days to go and see Lazarus. Lazarus in a way represented all of Mankind, God's creation that was in a fallen state, sick, dying under the curse, and separated from God, because of the force of Sin being released upon the Earth.

.....So here was the Messiah, the Christ, who came into this world to make things right again, and reconcile man back to God, fulfilling the Law, standing there before them and yet they still doubted and could not believe. This is truly why He wept. Jesus had been with Mary, Martha, the Disciples, and the Jews at this point for a few years, doing many miracles before them and shared many things with them and yet they still could not understand. You see, in the presence of the Messiah the Law is fulfilled, the curse is reversed, and death had no power or right to hold Lazarus in the tomb. Jesus was trying to show them it was only temporal and not eternal upon the completion of the Finished Work of the Cross.

.....In John 11: 38 Jesus went to the tomb and a stone was laying against it. The stone represented an obstacle, the bondage, those things that stand in our way to believing in the Word of God. Jesus told them to remove the stone. Yet they questioned Jesus saying, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for Lazarus has been dead for 4 days." Jesus then asked them about their Faith in John 11: 40 when He said, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see Glory of God? (Life in Christ- F.R.E.E.D.O.M.-Fully Renouncing Every Evil Dominion Over Man.) They then removed the stone. Jesus then lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing here before Me, I have said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Jesus then cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" Showing that the Messiah, and the Word of God spoken, brings forth Life. Lazarus then came out, bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. (Walking toward the Light, The Truth, Taking little steps.) Jesus said to those around him, "Loose him, and let him go." Signifying that those around him, now believers from seeing the Miracle, had a part in helping to set the captives free. This is the responsibility of the Church today. The Body of Christ.
.......................Whom the Son Sets Free, is Free Indeed!

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The Three "Wise" Men

.....With Christmas coming, we are all going to hear the story about of the three wise men. I asked God to show me why he called the men "Wise". So I wish to share it with you this Christmas as we celebrate the true meaning of the Holiday, and that is the birth of Jesus.

.....Matthew 2: 2-12..." Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So then they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determine from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: (Caspar gave) Gold, (Melchior gave) Frankincense, and (Balthasar gave) Myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way."

.....From this passage I would like you to notice that there are three different groups or types of men to be found in regard to Jesus. There are the Herod's, they are the ones of hatred and hostility and would forever be interfering with His life. There are the chief priests and scribes, the ones whose reaction would be of complete indifference, engrossed in their rituals, legalistic ways and discussions, completely disregarding Jesus. And there are the wise men, those whose reaction would be of adoring and worshiping, having a true and pure desire to lay their noble gifts at the feet of Jesus.

.....Let's concentrate on why God called the three men wise. First of all, these men were Astrologers and able to interpret through the Holy Spirit the star which was a sign to the birth of the "King of the Jews," Jesus. Melchior meant "Treasurer", Caspar meant "Visitor from the East", and Balthasar meant " All Praise." Imagine, visitors from the East bringing treasures and praise to a new king. The unique thing about these men is that they were continually looking up to the heavens, and God revealed Himself to them. (A message of that in itself could mean alot to us in our own lives. If we would just quit looking around ourselves at all of our circumstances and just look up and focus on Him, and the Joy that it would bring.) They then set aside everything in their life to go and pay homage to this great and joyous occasion. So they followed the star which led them to the New and True King, bringing with them each a unique gift, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

.....The gifts the wise men laid at the cradle of Christ fortold that who He was to be, and each represented something very special about Jesus' life. Gold was the gift for a king. King of metals and fit for a king, a gift that men presented to kings. Jesus was to reign, not by force, but by love. He was to rule over men's hearts, not from a throne, but from a Cross. The King of kings. Frankincense was the gift for a priest. It was used in the temple and at the temple sacrifices. Jesus was to be the priest or go-between between God and men, opening the way to God for men. The last gift was Myrrh, which was a burial spice used to embalm the bodies of the dead, and was given for one that was to die. So in a way prophetically speaking, the gifts each represented the true callings on Jesus' life. The True King. the Perfect High Priest, and in the end, the Supreme Sacrifice and Savior of men.

.....And that's why the three men were called wise in God's eyes. Jesus came into the world to live for men and also to die for men. These wise men had received a Revelation of the Christ from God through the Holy Spirit, through a relationship with the Lord. May you share this with others this Holiday Season, and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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FREEDOM IN CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.

.....The federal government estimates that there are over 22 million drug addicts, and alcoholics in the United States. Today, more than ever, with the enormous problems society faces from drugs, alcohol, crime, prostitution, depression, homelessness, etc., problems for which the world has little or no remedy... Faith-based ministries are leading the way with new and innovative ways to deal with these issues. Secular treatment programs only looked at the symptoms. Their treatment is never penetrating enough to introduce real healing and true behavioral change that is needed for most individuals to gain freedom from life controlling issues. The federal government's own research indicates that secular treatment programs have a 5 to 10 percent success rate while Faith-based programs have an 86 percent success rate.

.....Freedom In Christ Ministries has a complete program. A God empowered, Christ centered, and Holy Spirit inspired "Bible based program" designed to free the total person (spirit, soul, and body) from drugs, alcohol, and other life-controlling issues. (Anything that masters a person's life.)

.....The mission of the ministry is to provide adults and families with effective and comprehensive Faith-based solutions through a Christian Discipleship Program. The program has four phases and is from 90 days to one year long. Our objectives are to enable and empower students to find freedom from addictive behavior, become socially and emotionally healthy, physically well, and spiritually alive. This program is designed to produce graduates who function responsibly, and productively in society, establishing healthy relationships in the work place, the family, the Church, and the community. Leading individuals away from being a burden to society, to becoming a blessing in society. Equipping them with the tools needed to prosper in all things throughout their life.

.....This Discipleship Program has qualified and committed staff and volunteers dedicated to completing the goals and mission of the ministry. A caring ministry of real people, working, and praying together, helping those to grow in faith and in the knowledge of God through a Biblical approach in the study of life-controlling behaviors, encouraged sharing, and practical application. The staff has compiled valuable insights to combat these problems through the Word of God.

The ministry curriculum consists of lecture-style classes divided into two different segments:

Group Studies - which consists of a practical lineup of lecture style classes to teach practical Christian living skills.

Personal Studies - which consists of individualized study courses designed to meet the specific and targeted needs of each student.

.....The curriculum is designed to renew the mind and helps each student develop self-confidence, a balanced self-image, accountability, and dependability, thus producing a permanent behavioral change.

.....The ministry teaches The Six Steps to the Throne of God, Paul's System of Truth, and the Doctrines of Christ. Curriculum is listed below:

Six Steps to the Throne
Crucified.
Died...
Buried..
Quickened
Raised..
Seated

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Paul's System of Truth

(The Seven Pillars of Truth)

What is Man?

Who Adam was and What Adam did.

What happened to Jesus and His redemptive work.

The believers identification with Christ.

Who we are and what we now have in Christ.

How spiritual maturity comes.

The present-day Priestly ministry of Christ.

Doctrines of Christ

Repentance from Dead Works
Faith towards God
Doctrines of Baptisms
Laying-on of Hands
Doctrine of Resurrection
Eternal Judgment

Advanced Studies

The Law Fulfilled

Believers made Righteous

Force of Sin put Away

Deaths Debt has been Paid

Judged in Christ

Curse is Reversed

Satan's Power Destroyed

Man Reconciled to God

Eternal Life made Available

Blessings of Abraham

Dominion and Authority

Returned to the New Man

Kingdom of God Established on Earth

Health and Fitness

.....The ministry addresses and educates the students of the benefits of a well balanced diet, regular physical exercise, providing access to exercise equipment to the students in this program. The ministry also has engaged physicians and dentists that will donate or discount services for the students if the need arises.

Vocational Training Program

.....Our vocational training program works with other businesses, general contractors, and individuals, teaching the students different vocational skills, i.e., carpentry, drywall, painting, flooring, roofing, siding, plumbing, electrical etc., in the residential and commercial construction industry, (new and remodeling). Also skills in the horticultural industry, i.e., lawn maintenance, landscaping, irrigation. The goal here is to equip the students with the ability and skills to find work or start a business and become productive members in society upon graduation.

Outreach Program

.....The ministry also does volunteer work in the community such as providing services for the elderly or handicap individuals in need of remodeling or repairs in their homes to fulfill their needs. Our ministry believes in reaching out to others and being a blessing to the community, i.e., building ramps, widening doors, installing handicap tubs and showers, handicap accessories, and winterizing homes to help keep utility bills down.

.....The vocational training program and outreach program will teach students a solid Christian work-ethic that will give them a foundation of responsibility, a positive attitude, and integrity in how a job is to be done when they return to the work force.

Aftercare - Re-entering Society

.....Upon completion of any of the four phases of the discipleship program, the ministry will help the students find employment, and become involved and accountable in a local church for further mentoring and growth. This aspect of the ministry is one of the keys for reinforcing the positive behavioral changes leading to a successful life.

.....Your donations to Freedom In Christ Ministries, Inc. allow people with life controlling issues to have the opportunity to receive the help they really need. God's Help. Through a Faith-based program designed to free the total person (spirit, soul, and body).Your giving shows God's love to them... helping them... Breaking the Chains of Life Controlling Issues.

.....Freedom In Christ Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit organization and every contribution is completely tax deductible. May God Richly Bless You.

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ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?

.....The first commitment of a disciple is to " Deny" himself. He must renounce his self-centered life, clearing out all of self for Christ. Nothing can be more important to us than Christ. ( A Christ centered life.) The circle above represents your life. Christ should fill up the entire circle. To abide in Christ means that He is to have priority in everything in your life. Christian life is simply Christ living in you, (John 15: 5, John 15: 10) and through you. God has provided a way for Christ to be at the center of your life. This is the second commitment. "Take up your cross daily." Bearing your cross and serving others requires discipline. The above diagram reveals what disciplines a disciple must have.

1. The Word

.....The first discipline that we must have in our lives is "Living in the Word of God." The way to have Christ living in us is to have His Word in us. John 8: 31 - 32 says - "If you continue in My Word, then ye our My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." The Word of God is food for us. We cannot grow unless we have a regular intake of it. This is done by listening to someone preach it, and by reading it, studying it, memorizing it, meditating it, and then applying it. The result is a continuous process of renewing the mind, thus causing a behavioral change. John 15: 10 says- "That to abide in Christ is to obey Him." This is a crucial step in establishing a close relationship with God.

2. Prayer

.....The second discipline that we must have in our lives is "Praying," ( In Faith.) Faith that is drawn from the first discipline, ( His Word.) A part of living in Christ is living in prayer. John 15: 7 says -"If ye abide in Me, and My Word abides in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." So when we abide in Christ and His Word abides in us, we can ask what we will and God will do it. And open line of communication established between us and God through the Finished Work of the Cross ( Christ.) Refer to the above diagram and notice that God reveals himself and communicates to us through His Word (Christ.) and we communicate to God through prayer. Note the direction (Up to God and Down to us).

3. Fellowship

.....The third discipline that we must have in our lives is "Fellowship with Believers", our brothers and sisters in Christ. John 13:34 - 35 says - "A new commandment I give unto you, that you help one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know the ye our My disciples, if ye have love one to another." God has provided the ideal place for us to grow and mature, - The Church. A body of believers that have made a covenant to carry out Christ's ministry in and throughout the world. The Church is the body of Christ. So we come together to form the body here on the earth. Equipping those to fulfill the callings on their life. Praising and Worshiping God corporately, and equipping the Saints to go and preach the gospel - "The Good News."

4. Witnessing

.....The fourth discipline that we must have in our lives is "Witnessing to the World". Sharing Christ with others. John 15: 8 says - "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." A disciple will bear much fruit and that fruit is to be a witness to the world; our testimony, a living epistle to glorify God. The outward expression of an inward change from renewing the mind to what is true of it. The "Salvation of the Soul", or victory of the mind, will, and emotions, through Christ in the Finished Work of the Cross. Through applying these disciplines of living daily in the Word of God, praying in faith and fellowship with God's people, it will become natural and normal to share with others the Christ who is living in our hearts. This is what will make us fishers of men. Hence a true behavioral change.

.....The third commitment mentioned in Luke 9: 23 says - "That if we "Follow" and live in Christ, we will eventually bear fruit." Fruit does not necessarily grow quickly, but it grows continually and bears in season. Fruit bearing is the normal, natural result of the life that has Christ at the center of it. This is produced by the Holy Spirit and is what is called our sphere of influence. This growth is a continuous expansion across the earth equally proportional to the relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. Fruit-bearing not only consists of good deeds and helping others, it also relates to the fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance, leading to ministry and service of all kinds. As noted from the diagram, only you limit yourself with God.

.....Our goal in discipleship is expressed in 2 Timothy 2: 21 and says - "If a man therefore purge himself from these (his old ways), ye shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and able for the Master's use, and prepared onto every good work." These disciplines will develop lives that will produce good fruit, as well as balance, according to the Word of God, making true disciples.

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WHAT GOD HAS SHOWN ME...About Marriage

Good marriages don't just happen. It is not just because you married the right person and got lucky. Good marriages are built on more than passion. They are built on principle.

In the Scriptures, we find the best guidelines and principles for a healthy marriage. God's words and God's principles are never ever outdated...never! They are just as applicable today as they were to ancient Jews living in Israel.

I want to point us to principles God has given us in a place you might not think was intended for marriage. That place is the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20.

Let me give you those Ten Commandments. What I would like you to do is spend time reading these carefully, and then take time to pray over each one. Ask God to begin to open your heart to see how these commands could be looked at as principles for marriage. I had a friend who challenged me to do the same, and I was amazed at what I discovered.

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image...

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain...

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

The First Commandment of Marriage: Exclusivity

The first of the Ten Commandments is simply this, as found in Exodus 20:3,

"You shall have no other gods before Me."

What is God saying in this commandment? That He wants to have an exclusive relationship with you. He wants to be your one and only. He will not settle for flavor of the month.

And how appropriate in marriage as well. We are to have an exclusive relationship with our spouse.

It's been said that Henry Ford, on his golden wedding anniversary...50 years of marriage...was asked, "What's the secret of your success in marriage?" And he said, "The secret of my successful marriage is the same secret that I have in business: I stick to the same model."

In traditional wedding vows, the man and woman pledge their devotion until death parts them. For life. There is no competition.

My wife has no competition. I am not shopping for a new model. I do not want to trade in the old model. I will not be shopping in the future. One is all I need.

The Second Commandment of Marriage: Don't Love a Substitute

In the second commandment recorded in Exodus 20:4-6, we are given the second principle for a strong marriage,

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."

God commanded that there be no carved images, whether in heaven, in earth, or in the sea. He wanted to make sure everything was covered. And He said not to bow down to them and worship them. God said, "Do not make images of Me and then worship them. Don not love or worship a substitute for Me. Love Me."

Religion has made pictures, statues, and idols and then called them holy. They are all imitations. They are all substitutes. And in marriage we should have no substitutes either.

Pornography is a substitute. When a man watches pornography, he is loving a substitute. He is directing his passion and his sexuality toward those images. That is a substitute, and he is robbing his wife of that intimacy.

Do not allow any substitute, no matter what it might be, to take the place of intimacy with your spouse.

The Third Commandment of Marriage: Speak Well of Your Mate

Exodus 20:7 gives us our third commandment of marriage,

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

Many misunderstand the term, in vain. It means empty, meaningless, insincere, not showing due respect.

When we speak flippantly or lightly about someone, we erode our respect for that person. Some people are just far too casual in the way they speak of their spouse, and it erodes your respect for him or her.

In marriage, few things can affect the relationship like words. Words are containers. They can contain love; they can contain hate; they can contain joy; they can contain bitterness.

The book of James says that our tongue is like a rudder on a ship. It will send the ship of your marriage in whatever direction your words go. Some people are on the brink of divorce because they talk divorce. Just listen to the words they say. Are they negative or positive? Critical or encouraging?

Think about what you say. Are you building up your partner? Learn to speak well of your mate. Build them up with your words. Be lavish with your praise. You will be pleased with where those words will take your relationship.

The Fourth Commandment of Marriage: Spend Exclusive Time Together

The fourth commandment, found in Exodus 20:8-11,

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."

Sabbath means an intermission. It means to put down your work and rest. Take a break. And holy means separate to the Lord. "If you want a long-term relationship with Me," God says, "We have to have time together. I want special time, exclusive time. I want a whole day."

In the same way, in order to have a healthy, growing marriage, husbands and wives need time together...special time, exclusive time, sometimes extravagant time. And I think we all know that if we do not schedule it, it will not happen.

If your marriage is to thrive, you need to spend exclusive time together. You can't build a relationship and not spend time together. It is just not possible.

The Fifth Commandment of Marriage: Honor Your Spouse by Showing How Grateful You Are

The fifth commandment gives us our next principle for a healthy and vibrant marriage. It is found in Exodus 20:12,

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

Among other things, God is saying we must be grateful. Generally, parents spend a lot of time, labor, and money...sometimes to the point of radical sacrifice...to give their kids an edge in life.

And it is a tragedy when a child is ungrateful or unthankful. William Shakespeare said, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child." It is very difficult to have a relationship with an ungrateful, selfish person.

"Thank you" are important words to your parents, and an incredibly important phrase in marriage. It is difficult to live with someone who takes you and all of your efforts for granted.

You may be thinking, "I don't say it, but I am grateful in my heart. I truly am!" Well, hooray for you. You are blessed because in your heart you know you are grateful. But it does your spouse no good if you do not vocalize it.

If you do not demonstrate your gratitude, I doubt if you are really grateful because Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." If it is not being expressed, chances are it is not truly there.

Maybe you think you don't have a lot to be grateful for. But there must be something you can say "thank you" for. There is something you can praise your mate for. Look for those things, and accentuate the positive.

Take time today to express thanks to your spouse in some way...through an action, through a card, through words. That is how you honor your mate.

The Sixth Commandment of Marriage: Don't Destroy Your Spouse But Learn to be Gentle

The sixth commandment God gave to Israel in Exodus 20:13,
"You shall not murder."

While you might think this commandment is not too applicable, I believe it is vital. It is telling you not to destroy your spouse!

Jesus helps us understand this principle in Matthew 5. He said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."

Jesus went right to the root of murder: anger and hatred. If you are going to have a good, healthy, lasting marriage, you need to learn to be gentle. People who are easily angered...who are violent or have an explosive temper...destroy relationships.

If you are dating someone who blows up easily, you ought to take it as a warning sign. If they get mad at things at the drop of a hat, that anger can be turned on you very easily.

Anger erodes relationships. If you have a hot temper, get it under control, or the devil will control you through it.

Another way anger is expressed is by going stone cold...using silence and angry moodiness to punish your mate. Again, not a healthy thing for a marriage. If you anger quickly and forgive slowly, you are a hard person to live with. Work at being quick to forgive, and make the controlling of your anger a serious matter of prayer. God will help you.

If you do not master your temper, it will master you. And it will not only decay and destroy a marriage relationship, it will harm every other meaningful relationship you have in life.

We're going to skip the Seventh Commandment here -- "Do Not Commit Adultery"

-- to address it in a more in-depth manner

The Eighth Commandment of Marriage: Be a Person of Integrity

Exodus 20:15 gives us the eighth commandment for marriage,
You shall not steal.

You may be wondering how stealing applies to marriage. Simple. Not to steal is to be a person of integrity.

If you are always cheating or cutting corners, it will be hard for your spouse to respect you. Your uprightness should make your marriage partner feel proud. Your spouse and your family ought to testify of your integrity. This is really one of the things at the heart of a good marriage.

If you are married to somebody, and you know they cheat their customers, it is just hard to respect that person. You cannot respect someone who does not have integrity.

This is a big issue that many people fly right by. But it is vital to a healthy and vibrant marriage because it is hard to fully give yourself to someone who does not have integrity.

If you find that your spouse is holding back, if you feel like he or she does not respect you, take a look inside and see if you are compromising with your integrity. Do you cheat on your taxes? Do you tell that "little white lie" to protect yourself or gain an advantage?
Do you represent yourself one way, when in fact in your heart you believe something totally different? Are you like the man Solomon speaks of in Proverbs 23:7?

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

If this is an issue in your life, take it to God today. He will help you become the person of integrity He desires you to be. And when you do, you will find your spouse will come to respect you, and your marriage will be strengthened!

The Ninth Commandment of Marriage: Be Truthful

The ninth commandment for marriage speaks to the heart of any marriage, trust. It is found in Exodus 20:16,

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Someone who would lie about their neighbor, for whatever reason, is not going to make a good marriage partner. Honesty and trust are at the heart of a good marriage.

If you take advantage of people for your own gain, speaking untruthfully to get ahead, you are not a person to be trusted. And you ultimately are the loser.

I am reminded of the guy who was in a fender bender, and he faked an injury, pretended like he hurt his arm and his shoulder. As a result, the poor little lady who had run into his car was subjected to a truly horrible situation. She was grilled by attorneys, had to give depositions, and ended up in court.

But this guy continued trying to take her for all she was worth. He didn't care because he knew she had money. He didn't care if she had to give up her house. He was looking at an opportunity to get rich.The attorney for the lady's insurance company put him on the stand and said, "I would like to know, since the accident, since you injured your arm and your shoulder, how far can you now raise your arm?"With great pain etched on his face, he said, "Well...'bout here. That's it. Just to here." Then the attorney asked, "Well, how far could you lift it before the accident?" The guy responded, raising his arm with ease, "I could lift it up to here."
Needless to say, he lost.

Anyone who is not truthful will ultimately lose. And if your spouse will lie to someone else, he or she will lie to you.

The Tenth Commandment of Marriage: Be Content with What You Have

Today we come to the final commandment for marriage. That commandment is based on the tenth commandment given to the nation of Israel in Exodus 20:17,

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

This command is very direct. Do not covet. Don't be discontent with what you have. Do not make what you don't have the focus of your life. Accentuate what you do have and what God has blessed you and your spouse with.

You do this by celebrating your husband's or wife's strengths and giftings rather than thinking, "Oh, I wish he was this way," or, "I wish she had that."

I can build a house from the ground up; and if anything mechanical breaks down, I can fix it.

While I am a Mr. Fix-It, there are other things that I am not good at. I am so grateful that Lora wanted to pull those things out of me and give wings to the gifts, ( In Christ) she saw that I do have. And I want to do the same thing for her.

You will always get into trouble if you think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Just water your own grass. Because on the other side of the fence, it's just Astroturf anyway.

I struggled with drugs while searching for answers. It was not until I was 40 years of age(13 AUGUST, 2008) and thinking about my 3 blessed children and my soulmate that the Lord showed me the powerful reality of a relationship with Christ. Since August 13, 2008, the Lord has opened my eyes to the Answers (FREEDOM IN CHRIST) which I will prophetically fulfill in Christ, spreading the gospel to the nations around the world, blowing the horn, with a clear sounding word.

When God made man, He said it is good. But then He said, "It is not good that he is alone. I am going to make a helper suitable for him." And the Bible says God took one of Adam's ribs, and He formed a woman, Eve, and brought her to the man.

God did not take four or five ribs and say, "Okay, Adam, here is Eve, and here is Lois, and here is Samantha, and here is Rachel." No, it was just one. And to have a healthy marriage relationship, that is it.

My dream is not up in the sky or up in the stars when I look up, it is right here in my heart. (In Christ)

I am committed for life. An exclusive relationship. I am not shopping, not even window-shopping. One God. One wife. That is enough.

I LOVE YOU LORA, YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER- ED

Ambassador for Christ
Pastor Edward Hajj